'CBI must show it is an uncaged parrot': Supreme Court's strong observation in Arvind Kejriwal bail hearing

Arvind Kejriwal bail: Justice Ujjal Bhuyan questioned the CBI for arresting Arvind Kejriwal.

The Supreme Court on Friday made strongly worded observations on the Central Bureau of Investigation's (CBI) arrest of Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal in the excise policy case, saying the agency must demonstrate that it is now an "uncaged parrot".

The Supreme Court of India. (File Photo)

Granting bail to Arvind Kejriwal, who has been incarcerated since March 11, Justice Ujjal Bhuyan said the CBI must dispel the notion that it is a caged parrot.

"The CBI must dispel the notion of being a caged parrot. It must show it is an uncaged parrot," he said.

The opposition uses the phrase 'caged parrot' to refer to the alleged interference of the Central government in the functioning of the agency.

Justice Bhuyan said he failed to understand the CBI's urgency to arrest Arvind Kejriwal – who was on the cusp of release in the ED case – when it did not do so for 22 months.

He said it would be a travesty of justice to keep Arvind Kejriwal in custody when he got bail in the ED case on the same grounds.

He observed that the CBI couldn't justify arresting Arvind Kejriwal and continued his detention citing his alleged evasive replies.

He also noted that non-cooperation cannot mean self-incrimination.

Questioning the timing of his arrest by the CBI, the court said the agency aimed to frustrate the grant of bail to Arvind Kejriwal in the Enforcement Directorate's case.

"Not commenting on conditions imposed on Arvind Kejriwal due to judicial discipline as it was in a separate ED case," he added.

Granting bail to Arvind Kejriwal, the court directed him to not make any public comment on the merits of the case.

He has also been barred from entering the chief minister's office and signing official files.

With inputs from PTI